Zambian musician Macky 2 has on behalf of ” Musicians” in the country posted on his Facebook page a message boycotting the Zambian Music Awards,what are your thoughts on his lengthy message?
“PAY US WELL OR DON’T INVOLVE US —- MUSICIANS
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As Zambian music artists we will not be part of the mockery of musicians and music in Zambia by participating in the MOSI MUSIC AWARDS if the following demands wont be met.
It is shameful that our local awards have remained nothing but just a publicity stunt for individuals and certain organisations. As artists it is our understanding that anything that qualifies to be called awards cannot be void of monetary value but what we have witnessed in Zambia today is the exact opposite of that. We have noticed some private individuals and organisations benefiting from the awards instead of the artists and Djs. It is undeniable that Zambian music has improved compared to what it was a few years ago. Music managers, DJs and producers across the country have been investing heavily in the art and when its time to be rewarded they are given K3000 or K5000.
The cost of music equipment keeps going up and operational costs for the studios too are even more unfriendly for the flourishing of the industry so anyone who seeks to promote the industry must appreciate these realities.
It is our view that these awards are a pure mockery of our music and the people that produce it. We are very much aware that these awards have been used as a conduit by individuals who drain the coffers of the sponsors of these awards with intentions of enriching themselves. As artists we refuse to be used in this criminal act. If these awards are meant to promote Zambian music we demand that the artist must benefit.
We also noticed that only lusaka based artists were invited for the launch of the ZAMBIA MUSIC AWARDS and the absence of artists from the copperbelt, and other provinces was too loud to ignore. We believe this was not a mistake but a designed act of discrimination aiming at undermining those artists who do not live within the borders of lusaka. This was a huge insult on the calls for unity that we have recently been treated to by our leaders. We also wish to distance ourselves from this act as musicians because we are for the unity of our beautiful country. Working with the lusaka based musicians may be the most convenient thing to do but it is the worst form of arrogance towards those that have chosen to live in other parts of the country. In view of the above we demand for the following:
1) the 4th Mosi Music awards be held in a city outside lusaka
2) the money for the awards be revised with minimum being K15000.
3) Each province must be recognised by awarding the most active and talented artist in respective provinces.
Failure to address these concerns No credible music artist will be part of this years awards
and instead of certain individuals siphoning money from Zambia Breweries in our name let them do it in their own names.
BY ZAMBIAN MUSICIANS”
(HOT FM)
Does Zambia even have musicians? The mediocrity you call music does not even deserve a single ngwee. All Zambian musicians are auto tuned. Men want to sound like the Lil Wayne’s and women copy Beyoncé. No one musician is original. I for one would never waste my time on copy cats. I made the mistake of attending a Mampi show here in the USA and the $illy girl was miming( which I might add I can do better than her). From then on I vowed to never ever support lazy Zambian musicians. They lack work ethic and their music is garbage to say the least.
Mosi will still sell whether you boycott the awards or not.
Exactly my point.The quality of music is pathetic and it has contributed more to increasing prostitution than creating an identity.
THAT MAKES THE TWO OF US I ALSO ATTEND MAMPI AND THE OTHER CHAP I HAVE FORGOTTEN HIS NAME. DUE TO PUBLICITY BY WORD OF MOUTH I USED TO THINK THESE WERE ZAMBIA’S GREAT MUSICIANS. I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED TO SEE SOMEONE MIMING AND NOT PLAYING BEFORE THEIR BANDS. I KEPT ON THINKING THAT MAYBE THE BAND WAS COMING LATER, BUT, TO NO AVAIL. I ATTEND SHOWS OF WORLD CLASS MUSICIANS SUCH AS MARCUS MILLER, PETER WHITE, GEORGE BENSON, ETC. YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW PISSED I WAS JUST LOOKING AT !D!OTS SINGING FROM BACKGROUND RUBBISH.
EVEN EARL KLUGH ADVISED THE ZAMBIAN MUSICIANS NOT TO SING TO BACKGROUND COMPUTER MUSIC WHEN HE VISITED ZAMBIA LAST YEAR, I READ. HE ADVISED THEM TO PLAY REAL INSTRUMENTS AND BE INNOVATIVE. HONESTLY, THERE’S NO WAY I CAN PAY ANY PENNY JUST TO GO AND WATCH SOMEONE PERFORMING SOME SERIOUS RUBBISH. ZAMBIAN MIMERS SHOULD SHOULD REVISIT THE BOOKS OF MUSIC. ADDITIONALLY, MUSIC IS NOT A PROFESSION YOU GET INTO JUST BECAUSE THE JOBS ARE NO WHERE TO BE FOUND. ONE BETTER GO TO SCHOOL, FIRST TO LEARN HOW TO SING OR PLAY INSTRUMENTS, FIRST.
Tough one to call.The quality of music has not improved some songs have a shelf life of a month.How many corporate organisations are even interested in promoting music-give Zambian Breweries a benefit of the doubt.For musicians like Macky 2 K5000 may be too little but when you look at the average musician this is a jacpot.If I were ZB I would pull out of the event so the musicians can find a sponsor who can meet their demands.
He is right though he often produces nselensele songs
This Macky 2 chap is exaggerating the standard of his music and Zambian music at large. In fact he should be grateful that Zambia Breweries is awarding his and his colleagues’ mediocrity. The K3,000 is actually too much money for their mediocre music. We seem to have gotten used to mediocrity in the film and music industry.
At least they are doing something about it. The protest is raw, rushed and miscalculated.
Its recognition.
E pologilamu. Lets not entertain mediocrity. Zambia breweries should pay reasonable amounts and should rotate the venues.
Zambian music is garbage, you can only enjoy listening to it when you are in a drunken state.
Jealous pa Zed. Mackey 2??
I listen to PK Chishala, the Mulemena boys and other real Zambian musicians before this new crowd of auto tuned musicians cropped up. I am sure you guys can sing but your creativity sucks! Where is the original Zambian music for which you will be recognised!
Macky 2 has got it all wrong.I’m even surprised that ZB hands out cash for the ZMA’s.World Renowned awards such as Oscars or Grammy are merely for peer recognition.That peer recognition will get you bigger advertising/endorsements ,recording deals and contracts.
The statement by Macky 2 actually provides clear evidence of the low level and standards of our “top” musicians.
HOW CAN THEY PAY YOU WELL WHEN ALL YOU PRODUCE IS RUBBISH? CAN’T YOU EVEN COPY FROM THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PA ZIM, CONGO, SAFRICA, ETC. PLEASE, CHANGE. SING REAL MUSIC WITH INSTRUMENTS BEING PLAYED. STOP THAT RUBBISH YOU CALL MUSIC. HAVING SAID THAT I PERSONALLY LIKE YOUR LYRICS, BUT, ONLY IF THEY CAN HAVE REAL MUSIC PLAYED IN THE BACKGROUND.
Please ba macky 2! This is total rubbish u think zambian breweries makes profits to pay u? U shud evn b grateful that they evn thought to promote the zambian music industry. Who are u to tell them what to do they can simply call the awards off if they want. And besides where in zambia do we have venues with a little standard like government business complex. Ati k15000 are they a charitable organisation????
Comment:Hard work pays well,but in Zambia the industry is yet to be prossionanized.
Sir you seem have to a valid point but please make sure to use non UFO words to expand your points.. From a concerned Zambian
Strangely the people comenting here are not even in zambia. ..smh
Let’s be realistic, the musicians are right . they put in a lot of effort in wat they do which also costs them alot of money so atleast when one wins he should fill the relief on his cost . it doesn’t make sense to win an amount less than the cost you incured just to be there. The fact that one does not produce your type of music does not make someone not to be a good artist. To the relevant authorities, please let these awards be Fair, they should not be all about Lusaka based artists atleast let artists from other provinces feel part of them. We are all Zambians, . To the Zambian music industry I say keep it up. We Will support You all the way…
Big up to slap Dee and macky2, You have made Zambian music industry active in hip hop and rap. Mulibakali guys